Planning to Equip the Power Distribution Networks with Automation System

Implementing automation system in distribution networks needs a huge investment that usually cannot be funded entirely in a short period of time. So distribution companies (DISCOs) should develop long-term plans to equip their network with automation technologies as far as economically justifiable. Aiming to provide a methodology for development such plans, this paper presents a novel multistage planning model for implementing distribution automation system considering all main hardware and software infrastructures. The proposed method optimally determines the type, location, and time in which an equipment or infrastructure must be added to network considering the network capacity expansion plan. The objective function of the planning problem is to maximize the net present value of the DISCO's profit in the planning time horizon. In this method, the optimization problem is solved using the genetic algorithm approach as a promising technique in solving the mixed integer nonlinear programming problems. The proposed method is evaluated on an illustrative test network and the obtained results are presented and discussed.

I. Introduction

Smart Distribution Grid is the strategic goal of today's distribution companies (DISCOs) which are planning to achieve it as the final solution to meet the customer expectations and new strict standards and to overcome the upcoming challenges such as the growing penetration of distributed generation in distribution networks, electric vehicles, deregulation and restructuring of power systems, etc. [1]. One of the main pillars of smart distribution grid is distribution automation system (DAS) that enables the DISCO to monitor, coordinate, and operate distribution components in a real-time mode from remote locations [2], [3]. To equip the network with this system a large investment is needed that varies depending on the geographical extent of the network, available infrastructures, required capabilities and functionalities, etc. [3]. Usually DISCOs do not have enough resources to fund in this project at one step and they prefer to progressively invest in DAS project. Therefore DISCOs need to perform planning study in which the optimal investment for this project is determined through technical and economic studies and the optimal schedule of actions for the implementation of the project is specified considering available resources such as annual budget.